Laura Kubatko holds BA degrees in Mathematics and Biology from Hiram College (Ohio, USA), and an MS in Statistics and PhD in Biostatistics (both from The Ohio State University, Ohio, USA). From 1999-2006, Laura was Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New Mexico (USA) before moving to her present position at The Ohio State University. Her research interests are broadly in the area of statistical genetics, with a focus on the development of statistical and computational methods for inferring phylogenies from molecular data. Her recent work in this area is focused on bridging the gap between traditional phylogenetic techniques and methodology used in population genetics analyses, primarily through the application of coalescent theory to species-level phylogenetic inference. Her recent methodological work in this area employs techniques from algebraic statistics to address problems such as the inference of species that have arisen through hybridization and the delimitation of species using molecular data. She will apply this methodology to answer questions associated with whitefly systematics and evolution. www.stat.osu.edu/~lkubatko